Environment

Twenty-three Republican state attorneys general sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the agency to end funding for the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and its Climate Judiciary Project.

The officials argue the program promotes biased climate education to judges and amounts to political advocacy funded by taxpayers. ELI, which received more than $600,000 in EPA grants in 2024, maintains that its judicial education efforts are fact-based, science-driven, and independent of federal funding. The EPA has said it is reviewing the letter and will respond through official channels. 8/26/2025

According to a recent USA TODAY article, new EPA data shows that several Greater Cincinnati water systems have PFAS levels above the federal limit established in 2024.

Kings Island’s water system measured 6.3 times the limit, Loveland 4 times, Indian Hill 2.9 times, Morrow 2.5 times, Batavia 2.3 times, Milford 2 times, Bethel 1.9 times, and the Cincinnati Public Water System 1.3 times. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals that break down slowly and are commonly found in water, soil, air, and various consumer products. Public water systems are required to monitor for PFAS and report any exceedances to the public. 8/21/2025

The Environmental Protection Agency last week announced the termination of the $7 billion “Solar for All” program, originally launched under the Biden administration.

The program’s cancellation was attributed to the repeal of its funding authority under the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” with Cleveland.com reporting that Ohio would lose $250 million with the cancellation. The grants were allocated to roughly 60 recipients, including states, tribal nations, nonprofits, and local governments. 8/12/2025

The Environmental Protection Agency is weighing a move to cancel $7 billion in grants awarded under the Biden administration’s “Solar for All” program, prompting concern among low- and moderate‑income households nationwide.

The grants—disbursed in 2024 to about 60 nonprofits, tribes, and state agencies—were intended to help vulnerable communities install solar energy. Sources say the EPA may send termination letters to recipients as early as this week. An EPA spokesperson cited implementation of the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill” in affirming the action aligns with congressional intent. To date, the EPA has not made a final decision. 7/24/2025

In a Senate confirmation hearing last Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted questioned the effectiveness of the Greater Cleveland E‑Check emissions testing program, arguing it may no longer serve its intended air quality goals.

The program, initially credited with helping achieve federal air quality standards, now faces scrutiny amid changing vehicle technology. With most cars passing current tests easily, critics argue it may no longer be the best approach.

The proposal marks a significant shift in Ohio’s regulatory approach to emissions oversight, with potential relief for motorists and changes in local environmental policy. A federal decision on E‑Check waivers could reshape how air quality is managed in Northeast Ohio. 7/24/2025

A proposal by the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency seeks to rescind the 2009 “endangerment finding” that classified greenhouse gases as a health threat under the Clean Air Act.

The move would dismantle the legal basis for major climate regulations targeting vehicle emissions, power plants, and methane leaks. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described it as “the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen,” framing it as a boost for energy jobs and lower costs. 7/24/2025

The OMA’s Environment Committee this week celebrated a key win for removing Ohio’s Air Nuisance Rule from its State Implementation Plan (SIP).

The OMA secured language in the state operating budget that requires the Ohio EPA to petition the U.S. EPA to remove the rule, protecting Ohio manufacturers from duplicative and

The committee also heard a presentation from Battelle on PFAS, including past and upcoming bans and restrictions, key challenges, and strategies for risk and liability management. 7/16/2025

The next OMA Environment Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 16, where members will get key updates on state and federal environmental policy.

Featured speakers from Ohio EPA and Battelle will cover new state budget initiatives, proposed PFAS regulations, and federal rules under reconsideration. Plus, OMA staff will share the latest on the state budget and advocacy efforts. 7/10/2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed 139 employees on administrative leave this week after they publicly criticized the Trump administration’s regulatory rollbacks and staffing cuts in an open letter to Administrator Lee Zeldin.

The employees, who signed the letter using their official titles, are now under investigation as part of what Administrator Lee Zeldin called a “zero tolerance” policy against internal sabotage. The mass leave marks one of the largest coordinated acts of dissent and disciplinary responses at the EPA in years, raising concerns about disruption to the agency’s operations. 7/10/2025

Among the thousands of law changes tucked into the voluminous state budget bill was a provision that directed the Ohio EPA to remove a state-level air nuisance rule from the federal Clean Air Act implementation plan for the state of Ohio. The OMA led the charge to rid this private right of action that had been abused too often against businesses operating within the scope of their EPA permits.

OMA Managing Director of Public Policy Service James Lee remarked that he thanks state lawmakers for approving this important, common-sense business protection. Simultaneously, the OMA has been urging the U.S. EPA to rescind the federal requirement. This important win will be discussed at the July 16 meeting of the OMA Environment Committee. 6/25/2025

The Environmental Protection Agency has instructed regional employees in the industrial Midwest to ease enforcement of violations against oil and gas companies, according to multiple internal sources.

The directive, reportedly issued verbally in recent months, extends to Region 5, which includes Ohio, as well as parts of Region 6, covering Texas and Louisiana. Data from the Environmental Integrity Project shows enforcement actions across industries fell roughly 32% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period under the Biden administration.

EPA officials describe the move as part of a broader deregulation push by Administrator Lee Zeldin under President Trump, though the agency maintains inspections and enforcement remain ongoing. 6/16/2025

Ohio manufacturers are hitting pause on major decarbonization projects as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) pulls back on promised funding, creating widespread uncertainty. Cleveland-Cliffs is expected to scrap its $500 million hydrogen-based steel initiative at Middletown Works after DOE rescinded a key $527 million grant. The company will instead continue with traditional coal-fired operations, citing both funding cuts and supply chain challenges.

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) also raised concerns about DOE abruptly canceling multiple decarbonization projects in the glass sector.

Manufacturers warn that inconsistent federal support could stall U.S. clean energy progress and undermine onshoring efforts. 6/10/2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to double chemical review user fees from $5 million in fiscal 2025 to $11 million in 2026, aiming to offset deep budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration.

The EPA’s overall funding is set to drop by 54%, eliminating over 1,200 positions and slashing science and technology programs by 35%. Enforcement and community revitalization efforts would also face major reductions. To compensate, the agency intends to increase fees under the Toxic Substances Control Act and rely more on Superfund taxes and legal settlements for site cleanups. 6/5/25

In response to the recent introduction of House Bill 272 (HB 272), a measure that would impose sweeping new restrictions on PFAS and food additives in consumer products, OMA Counsel at Bricker Graydon has produced a detailed memo outlining the bill’s impact on Ohio manufacturers.

As introduced, HB 272 would impose strict new limits on PFAS and food additives, mirroring regulations seen in California and the EU. The bill also bans some FDA-approved ingredients and imposes significant compliance costs and penalties.

This bill will be discussed in depth at the June 5 Government Affairs Committee and the July 16 Environment Committee meetings. 5/29/25

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week announced a delay of Biden-era regulations on PFAS chemicals in drinking water systems.

Last April, the EPA under the Biden Administration set limits on certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water, requiring community water systems to find alternative water sources or install filtration systems to remove them by 2029.

Now, the EPA is proposing to extend the compliance deadline to 2031 for two of the most common PFAS chemicals – PFOA and PFOS. The agency is also rescinding and reconsidering the limits for four additional PFAS in the initial regulation. 5/14/2025

A bill that would impose strict new regulations regarding “forever chemicals” and food additives was introduced in the Ohio House this week. House Bill 272, titled the “PURE LIFE Act,” proposes strict new regulations in Ohio targeting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and harmful food additives.

The bill, sponsored by State Reps Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana), bans the sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS—such as cookware, food packaging, dental floss, and juvenile products—starting in 2027, with further restrictions on items like textiles, cosmetics, and cleaning products by 2028. By 2032, only PFAS uses deemed “currently unavoidable” by the Ohio EPA will be allowed.

Manufacturers must report PFAS content and face penalties for violations. Additionally, the bill prohibits several food dyes and additives, including Red 40, Yellow 5, and titanium dioxide, citing health concerns. Any food containing these substances would be considered adulterated under Ohio law. The legislation also mandates labeling, inventory tracking of firefighting foam, and grants enforcement power to the state EPA. These measures aim to reduce toxic chemical exposure in food and consumer goods to protect public health. 5/13/2025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has laid off nearly 400 probationary employees nationwide, including several at its Cincinnati office—home to about 1,000 staff working on critical research like drinking water safety and PFAS removal.

The cuts, part of a federal workforce reduction under President Trump, have halted key projects and delayed funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The restructuring will save taxpayers $300 million a year by fiscal year 2026, the agency said, with some of the savings coming from job cuts. 5/14/2025

Ohio EPA Director John Logue testified this week before the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on the agency’s top priorities for the state’s biennium budget.

In his testimony, Logue emphasized the need for the state to modernize its air fee structure, which enforces the federal government’s Clean Air Act, and restore funding to the H2Ohio program, which was cut in the House version of the budget.

These priorities from the Ohio EPA will be discussed at the July 16 OMA Environment Committee. 5/8/2025

Governor Mike DeWine has tapped John Logue to be the next director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The OMA praised the announcement in a statement, highlighting his reputation as a “steady hand” while at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

Logue, who succeeds Anne Vogel, who was appointed U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator, held key roles at the Ohio BWC, including Administrator/CEO and deputy administrator, overseeing one of the nation’s largest state-run insurance systems.

Since joining BWC in 2019 as chief of strategic direction, he managed the Division of Safety & Hygiene and offices for analytics, business intelligence, data warehouse, and business transformation, and established the Workforce Safety Innovation Center.

Logue will need to be confirmed by the Ohio Senate before officially assuming his role. 5/1/2025

Ohio lawmakers last month voted to make significant cuts to the state’s water quality program, designed to prevent farm runoff, protect water supplies, and other water quality solutions.

The Ohio House version of the budget contains a proposed $120 million cut to H2Ohio, which was put into place after toxins left Toledo temporarily without safe drinking water in 2014.

Ohio’s budget is currently still under deliberation, with lawmakers set to resume talks next week after returning from spring break. 3/23/2025